Aiko, Princess Toshi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aiko |
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| Princess Toshi | |
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Aiko in 2022
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| Born | 1 December 2001 Imperial Household Agency Hospital, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |
| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Naruhito |
| Mother | Masako Owada |
Aiko, Princess Toshi (敬宮愛子内親王, Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō), born on 1 December 2001, is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.
After she was born, some politicians thought about changing a law. This law, called agnatic primogeniture, says that only males can become emperor. However, her uncle, Crown Prince Fumihito, later had a son named Hisahito in 2006. This meant Hisahito became second in line to the throne, after his father. Princess Aiko cannot become empress under the current law, but people still talk about whether women should be able to rule in the future.
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Birth
Princess Aiko was born on 1 December 2001. She arrived at 2:43 PM at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace. She is the first and only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. At the time, they were the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Breaking with old traditions, her parents chose her name instead of her grandfather, Emperor Akihito. The name "Aiko" comes from an old Chinese teaching. Her personal name, Aiko, means "a person who loves others." It is written with the kanji characters for 'love' (愛) and 'child' (子). Her imperial title is "Princess Toshi" (敬宮), which means "a person who respects others."
Education
Princess Aiko started kindergarten at Gakushūin on 3 April 2006. She finished kindergarten on 15 March 2008.
When she turned eight, it was shared that she enjoyed many things. These included writing kanji characters, calligraphy, jump rope, playing piano and violin, and writing poetry.
In early 2010, Aiko stayed home from school for a while. She returned to school slowly on 2 May 2010. A palace official said she would attend some classes with her mother. This was based on advice from a doctor.
In November 2011, Aiko was in the hospital with pneumonia. In 2014, she began attending Gakushuin Girl's Junior High-school.
In the summer of 2018, she took her first solo trip abroad. She went to a summer program at Eton College in the United Kingdom. Reports said that Aiko gave her mother, Masako, emotional support. This was when Masako took on her new role as empress.
In February 2020, she was accepted at Gakushuin University. There, she studied Japanese language and literature.
She graduated on 20 March 2024. She said she would try to balance her official duties and work. She also wants to fulfill her duties as a member of the Imperial Family. Her final paper was about Princess Shikishi and her waka (Japanese poetry).
Public life
When she turned 16, Aiko started going to public events with her parents. She could not attend her father's ceremonies to become emperor. This was because she was still under 18 at the time.
On 15 September 2021, Aiko and her parents moved. They left the Akasaka Palace and moved to the Tokyo Imperial Palace.
On 5 December 2021, after her 20th birthday, she took part in formal coming of age ceremonies. She wore a special tiara borrowed from her aunt, Sayako Kuroda. Her father, Emperor Naruhito, gave her the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown. This is a very important award.
She attended the 2022 New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace. This was her first public event as a working member of the imperial family. Her first press conference was on 17 March. On 5 November, she joined her cousin Princess Kako of Akishino. They attended a Gagaku concert. This concert was put on by the Imperial Household Agency. On 24 November, Princess Aiko visited an exhibition. She went to the Tokyo National Museum with her parents.
Aiko visited Ise Jingu on 26 March. She offered tamagushi to Amaterasu. The next day, 27 March, she visited the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu. This was in Kashihara, Nara. She went to tell his spirit about her university graduation. These were her first solo visits to these important places. She started working at the Japanese Red Cross Society on 1 April 2024. Her mother is the honorary president of this organization.
In October 2024, she made her first official solo Imperial visit. She attended a sports competition in the Saga prefecture.
Succession to the throne
The Imperial Household Law of 1947 changed how the imperial family works. Under this law, only male descendants of Emperor Taishō can inherit the throne. This law also says that women cannot inherit the throne, nor can their children.
Debate
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When Princess Aiko was born, people in Japan started talking. They wondered if the Imperial Household Law should be changed. The current law is called agnatic primogeniture. This means only males can become emperor. Some people wanted to change it to absolute primogeniture. This would allow the firstborn child, even if female, to inherit the throne.
In Japanese history, there have been ten empresses who ruled. However, their successors were always chosen from the male side of the family. This is why some scholars say that female reigns were only temporary. They believe the male-only succession tradition should continue.
In 2005, a group of experts suggested changing the law. They wanted to allow absolute primogeniture. On 20 January 2006, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said he would try to pass a bill. This bill would let women become empresses. He wanted the Imperial throne to continue in a stable way.
Birth of male cousin
Plans to change the law were put on hold. This happened in February 2006. It was announced that Crown Prince Naruhito's younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his wife, Princess Kiko, were expecting their third child. On 6 September 2006, Princess Kiko gave birth to a son, Hisahito. He was the first male heir born into the imperial family in 41 years. Under the current law, he became third in line to the throne. This was after his uncle (the then-Crown Prince) and his father. On 3 January 2007, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe said he would not try to change the Imperial Household Law.
Surveys have shown that about 80% of people support a female succession. A manga (Japanese comic) called Aiko Tennō ron ("Princess Aiko as Emperor") has also led to many discussions.
Titles, styles and honours
The Japanese news often calls her "Toshi-no-miya" (Her Highness Princess Toshi). Or they use her full title, "Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō" (Her Highness Princess Toshi Aiko). People generally refer to her as "Aiko-sama".
Titles and styles
Princess Aiko is known as "Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko". She also has an imperial title, "Princess Toshi" (敬宮).
Honours
National honours
Japan: 
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown (1 December 2021)
See also
In Spanish: Aiko de Toshi para niños
